Friday, February 20
Fairfield, CT
7:00 PM
Sacred Heart University Department of Athletics
12-17,8-10MAAC
68
at
78
Fairfield University
17-11,9-8MAAC
1
2
F
Sacred Heart
37
31
68
Fairfield
32
46
78
Photo by: Josh Gee
Pioneers Fall at Fairfield
2/20/2026 9:05:00 PM | Men's Basketball
SHU Clinches Spot in MAAC Championship
FAIRFIELD, Conn. — The Sacred Heart University men's basketball team fell to Fairfield, 78-68, on the road in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) play. Four Pioneers scored in double figures in the setback. Despite the loss, Sacred Heart clinched a spot in the MAAC Championship tournament.
Records
Sacred Heart: 12–17 (8-10 MAAC)
Fairfield: 17–12 (9-8 MAAC)
Leaders
Yann Farell: 14 points, 5 rebounds
Dashon Gittens: 14 points, 8 rebounds
Nyle Ralph-Beyer: 11 points, 6 rebounds
Anquan Hill: 10 points, 4 rebounds
How It Happened
Sacred Heart found its rhythm early, jumping out to a 10-3 lead in the opening four minutes. Fairfield responded with an 8-0 run to take an 11-10 advantage. Abdou Yadd and Dashon Gittens answered with back-to-back baskets to put SHU back in front, 14-11.
After the Stags trimmed the deficit to one, Gittens scored five straight points to extend the lead to 19-13. Fairfield again pulled within three, but a pair of free throws and a Jaden Slaughter steal that led to a layup pushed the Pioneers ahead, 30-20.
The Stags closed the gap to three in the final minute of the half, but a Slaughter tip-in sent Sacred Heart into the break with a 37-32 lead.
Fairfield opened the second half with four straight points to pull within one. A Mekhi Conner layup gave SHU a 39-36 edge, but the Stags seized momentum with an 8-0 run to take a 45-39 lead. Yann Farell knocked down a three to bring the Pioneers within three, though Fairfield answered with a triple of its own to maintain control.
From there, the Stags led by as many as eight. Sacred Heart cut the deficit to six twice, but Fairfield heated up from beyond the arc, stretching the lead to as many as 15.
Farell converted three straight free throws to trim the deficit to 12, but Fairfield maintained its double-digit advantage down the stretch to secure the 78-68 final.
Sacred Heart shot 43.3 percent from the field and narrowly won the rebounding battle, 36-35.
Up Next
Sacred Heart wraps up the weekend with a road matchup at Marist on Sunday, Feb. 22 at 2 p.m.
Records
Sacred Heart: 12–17 (8-10 MAAC)
Fairfield: 17–12 (9-8 MAAC)
Leaders
Yann Farell: 14 points, 5 rebounds
Dashon Gittens: 14 points, 8 rebounds
Nyle Ralph-Beyer: 11 points, 6 rebounds
Anquan Hill: 10 points, 4 rebounds
How It Happened
Sacred Heart found its rhythm early, jumping out to a 10-3 lead in the opening four minutes. Fairfield responded with an 8-0 run to take an 11-10 advantage. Abdou Yadd and Dashon Gittens answered with back-to-back baskets to put SHU back in front, 14-11.
After the Stags trimmed the deficit to one, Gittens scored five straight points to extend the lead to 19-13. Fairfield again pulled within three, but a pair of free throws and a Jaden Slaughter steal that led to a layup pushed the Pioneers ahead, 30-20.
The Stags closed the gap to three in the final minute of the half, but a Slaughter tip-in sent Sacred Heart into the break with a 37-32 lead.
Fairfield opened the second half with four straight points to pull within one. A Mekhi Conner layup gave SHU a 39-36 edge, but the Stags seized momentum with an 8-0 run to take a 45-39 lead. Yann Farell knocked down a three to bring the Pioneers within three, though Fairfield answered with a triple of its own to maintain control.
From there, the Stags led by as many as eight. Sacred Heart cut the deficit to six twice, but Fairfield heated up from beyond the arc, stretching the lead to as many as 15.
Farell converted three straight free throws to trim the deficit to 12, but Fairfield maintained its double-digit advantage down the stretch to secure the 78-68 final.
Sacred Heart shot 43.3 percent from the field and narrowly won the rebounding battle, 36-35.
Up Next
Sacred Heart wraps up the weekend with a road matchup at Marist on Sunday, Feb. 22 at 2 p.m.
Team Stats
SHU
Fairf
FG%
.431
.468
3FG%
.296
.458
FT%
.833
.529
RB
36
35
TO
13
8
STL
5
6
Game Leaders
Pts
16
FGM
6
3FGM
1
FTM
3
Pts
14
FGM
5
3FGM
4
FTM
0
Pts
14
FGM
4
3FGM
1
FTM
5
Pts
10
FGM
4
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's BasketballF
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballF
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